alligoat

Get a $10 watchmaterial pearl and then remove the bezel insert- an X-acto knife works well- pry gently under the insert from the crystal side. Then enlarge the pearl hole with the knife so the WM pearl fits in tightly, then add a bit of glue. Glue the insert onto the bezel with either G-S Hypo cement or a few drops of epoxy. Don't use too much glue or you'll glue the bezel to the case and it won't turn. The noob bezel insert is slightly smaller than a gen/aftermarket insert (which requires edge sanding to fit) so I've always reused it in the past.

Dang, I guess I need to put the 6239 on an old rivetted bracelet! Probably the 6238/9 transitional also.

I agree with all of the above and do think the L-G Openall would be a good tool if the Bergeon doesn't work. You need the Bergeon if you're into Rolexes at all. Sticky balls and tape are for amateurs.

For the $350 price, what is the base movement? Also, you'd be putting in an eta 2892-2 wouldn't you? The 2894 is a chronograph movement, isn't it?

I went with the first option, a PT 1665 and installed an MBW dial. The datewheel isn't perfect, 2/3's of the days are ok, and the 20's are a little left. I had jmb fab up a new crystal retention ring also. When you try to fit a gen/aftermarket crystal on there, the nylon gasket gets trashed out and the ring is too big. But the new ring from jmb did the trick and I was even able to pass the WR test- good for swimming and watersports. gen crown and aftermarket tube aftermarket domed crystal jmb crystal retention ring MBW dial here's a side shot of the crystal I installed, it's a G&S PA462-67A for the 1665, don't know if they still make it or not All in all, I'm happy with the watch as a $400 beater. The crown guards could use a little more trimming, but I guess I'm saving that for a rainy day!

Interesting. So they are TW subs, maybe bests if they take gen parts. You definitely need a gen crown- those crowns are way too big! Bezel insert is the old style, kinda out of place on a modern sub, and a better pearl would help also. Crown guards look decent. I'm not a fan of the rehaut engraving, but it could be polished off I guess. And if the price is right, it could be a good sub with a few mods.

Val, given your location, have you tried CousinsUK? You could always order the pearl from Watchmaterial. Watchbandman50 is also still around, but Freddy and I think he's the same as wholesaleoutlet990 and jewelryoutlet550, i.e. Mr. Slimeball! But for inserts, he might not be too bad.

Based on the datewheel, I agree that it's a 1570/5 movement. You'll need a pie pan dial for it and a new set of hands would also help. I can't tell from the pic, is this the all stainless model with the white gold bezel? I'd also figure servicing the movement, always a good idea when you buy a used Rolex.

Pretty amazing, 5 days and it's up to $61K! I guess it's a 6538.... but the guy give no description...

Here's a gen 1665 from my photo album As you can see, the lugs are quite a bit thicker here's a DRSD, But someone said my 1680 had been overpolished on the lugs, this isn't much of a lug shot, but it looks like your SD, it is what it is. I'd leave those springbars in there and go on.

I'm with Andy, the lugholes do look correct and the crown is a better size than typical MBW. Enjoy your new watch. With a decent pearl and a little work on the cg's, you'll have a very nice rep.

An SSD won't take a gen/aftermarket crystal. BK is probably the most knowledgeable and can probably tell you if anything else will work.

Very impressive list of gen parts and a beautiful job. Congrats and wear it well.

I agree also and it looks like a swiss eta to boot. Out of curiosity, I'd like to know what the SN is- at the 6 o'clock lugs.

Your question is too broad. Noob submariners have been around as long as you have, if not longer and there's tons written on them. They're OK as an entry level sub, but there are better models out there these days, but accordingly more expensive. Which Explorer I did you have in mind, vintage or modern? Keep reading and try using the Search feature, sometimes it works!

There's hope yet. Too bad this guy is selling the bracelet as gen. Sure wish I could read German!

I have Sinned again

At first I thought it was a 5508 myself, but the movement looks like a 1030 to me. Here's another 1030 To be a 5508, it would have a 1530 movement. So I would figure this is a 6536 or a 6536-1. Also it looks like an 'exclamation point' dial to me- with a small dot below the 6 o'clock marker. Beautiful watch.

Looks to me like the seller of the DRSD pulled his auction. Maybe he realized it wasn't a gen.....

No, the TWB won't take a gen or aftermarket crystal. Based on Star69's using a Cousins crystal, it looks like the PT V1.5 will take a gen or aftermarket crystal.

+1 for what Freddy says The seller of the DRSD doesn't show any feedback, seems odd to me. Apparently he sells a lot of stones, certainly not watches. The dial looks pretty bad to me, as well as the picture! The GMT case serial # is all wrong, I've never seen a Rolex SN that BIG!

Although I think the WM9V1.5 from PT is probably a little better, I did run across a TWB that yamahatwin picked up modded from BK for around $400. http://www.replica-watch.info/vb/showthread.php/rolex-submariner-16610-twb-bkmodded-63431.html This one won't take a gen (or aftermarket) crystal, but it has the same flat 'S' dial and looks pretty good. Also, with the BK mods- pearl and cg's, it's nice for someone who doesn't want to do the mods.

Sounds like you have a handle on the situation. The 2846's in the PT 1665 and 1680 are older movements and therefore a service is a good idea. My PT 1665 dropped a screw out of a gear and stopped the movement dead. $40 later my watchmaker had it fixed. There's a guy over at RWI, 14060 or 16610, who you might check out. Don't know what he charges to service an eta, but he was pretty reasonable on my asian 7750. The last thing I would do is send it back to China, it's just not worth it. Once you get it serviced, you should be good for 5-6 years.

Heck, it's the same old same old, parts are probably made in china! So you know what quality control is like. Hopefully it's a Swiss movement (made in china)? I'm still happy with my Sinn. Beats all my gen Rolexes. And it was very reasonably price 3 years ago.

Whoa! I got lost on the secret island for a few minutes! Congrats to the new mods, I'm glad to have you guys on board and in charge.